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    1. Beauty
    2. Nails

    Lace Nails Are the Sexiest Manicure Trend Taking Over the Winter Season

    Like lingerie for your fingertips.

    Catharine Malzahn's avatar
    By Catharine Malzahn
    Published 8 December 2025 In Features

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    lace nails on a pink background
    (Image credit: Future | Glamnetic)
    Jump to category:
    • Lace Frenchies
    • Hints of Coquette
    • Dark Florals
    • Simple Pattern
    • Polka Dotted Lace
    • Touches of Blue
    • Summery Doilies
    • Bridal Whites
    • Ballerina Laces
    • Butter Yellow Lace
    • Lace Accent Nail
    • Shop Polish for Lace Nails
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    Come winter, I'm always ready to switch up my manicure. To be fair, it's nothing crazy (I'm wearing a holiday red nail color as I type this). Usually, I swap my classic pink nail polish for moody winter shades like navy and forest green, but this year, there's a new trend in town that I'm so on board with. Please welcome: lace nails. With intricate, delicate patterns that look just like real lace, they are understated, sexy, and elegant. All this is to say: This manicure is winter's hottest (in more ways than one!) nail trend.

    Whether you prefer a mysterious black and gray lace nail design or a fresher, lighter color palette, there are many ways to wear lace nails. They suit any nail length and shape, making them versatile and fun. To achieve a realistic look, most lace nails are created by stamping the pattern onto the nail, so even if you're not a professional nail artist, you can try this style yourself. Get ready to fall in love with lace nails, winter's sexiest and most texturally interesting nail trend, and keep scrolling for all the inspo you need before heading to the salon.

    Lace Frenchies

    lace french manicure

    (Image credit: Instagram / @ceesclaws)

    Dressing up your French manicure with sexy black lace tips? Say less. Achieve this look by applying a translucent gray base to the Frenchie and stamping the lace design with black polish on top.

    Hints of Coquette

    pink coquette lace nails

    (Image credit: Instagram / @nailedbyvicx)

    Rather than going for a moodier, dark lace shade, opt for lighter colors like this fresh, cutesy white-and-pink design.

    Dark Florals

    gray and black lace nails

    (Image credit: Instagram / @kreativelykoated)

    I like that this floral lace design switches things up from more classic patterns, and the base has the texture and look of the super popular jelly nails. Yes, please!

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    Simple Pattern

    Black and gray lace nails

    (Image credit: Instagram / @enamelle)

    A lot of lace designs are intricate, but this one is simple and straightforward, yet still maintains the elegance and sophistication I love. Sign me up.

    Polka Dotted Lace

    polka dot lace nail art

    (Image credit: Instagram / @paintbyjaz)

    Sheer polka dots? I'm so in. This design gives classic lace a run for its money with a more modern take on the pattern.

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    Touches of Blue

    blue lace nails

    (Image credit: Instagram / @enamelle)

    I see so much gray and black in lace nails that I sometimes forget the pattern can come in any color, and this beautiful blue shade is the perfect reminder.

    Summery Doilies

    summer picnic lace nails

    (Image credit: Instagram / @nailartbyqueenie)

    It couldn't feel further from summer right now, but that doesn't mean a girl can't dream. These lace doily-inspired patterns on the middle and ring fingers are picnic-ready as soon as the weather allows. (Or if you take an impromptu flight to the warmer side of the world!)

    Bridal Whites

    white lace nails

    (Image credit: Instagram / @tipsandtoesoc)

    Elevate your bridal mani with this white-and-nude lacy pattern. Adding it as an accent on just two fingers makes the design really pop.

    What to read next
    • hands with shiny fingernails that are bare with yellow diamond and gold rings; bare nails with a diamond ring on the middle finger; two hands with bare nails and a white pencil drawing underneath the nails Every Stylish Woman Is Wearing a Barely-There Manicure Right Now
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    • A collage featuring colorful nail art designs and nail polish bottles in blue, burgundy, and brown shades The Chocolate Brown Nail Trend Is Getting a Turquoise Twist This Fall

    Ballerina Laces

    pink ballerina bow lace nails

    (Image credit: Instagram / @22nailbar_)

    Any former ballerina will feel nostalgic when they see these nails. The pink crossed laces are making me reminisce about my pointe shoes and are a fun, creative take on lace nails.

    Butter Yellow Lace

    yellow polka dot and lace nails

    (Image credit: Instagram / @nailedbyelizabeth)

    Butter yellow is in the running for one of my favorite colors of the year. The muted pastel (which, TBH, is a neutral shade in my book) paired with trending patterns like lace and polka dots is a total win.

    Lace Accent Nail

    black lace nails with french manicure

    (Image credit: Instagram / @moniqueviii)

    Not sure if you can pull off lace on every single nail? Try it as Frenchies, with just one accent nail to ease yourself into it. The black line on each French tip adds a little extra drama.

    Shop Polish for Lace Nails

    Lace Blush Press-On Nails

    Glamnetic
    Lace Blush Press-On Nails
    $20
    SHOP NOW

    Don't have the time and patience to sit through a full manicure with intricate art details? Easy, pop on these lace nail press-ons.

    Opi Nail Lacquer Peace of Mined | Sheer Soft Gray Crème Chip Resistant Nail Polish | Fast Drying, Streak Free

    OPI
    Nail Lacquer in Peace of Mined
    $12
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    This gray makes the perfect accent color for a moodier mani vibe.

    700 Crystal Black, Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish

    Gucci
    Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in 700 Crystal Black
    $35
    SHOP NOW

    Want the lace to really pop? Use a deep black like this one from Gucci as the base.

    Lace Nail Stamping Plate Set - French Tip Stamp Silicone Nail Stamper Kit Bow Lace Design With Nail Stamp Plates Laser Storage Bag Nail Art Stencil Nail Supplies for Home Diy &professional Salon

    STZPRONAIL
    Lace Nail Stamping Plate Set
    $12$10
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    Fake intricate lace nail art with this easy-to-use stamp set.

    Gel Couture Liquid Diamonds - Drip Drip

    Essie
    Gel Couture Liquid Diamonds - Drip Drip
    $13
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    The satin chrome and pearlescent glitter finish in this white polish is just begging for a lace design.

    Melodysusie Nail Art Liner Brushes 5pcs - Rose Pink

    MelodySusie
    Nail Art Liner Brushes 5pcs - Rose Pink
    $21$15
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    Some fine tip brushes are key to creating those intricate lace designs. Remember—practice makes perfect!

    Why Trust Marie Claire

    For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

    Catharine Malzahn
    Catharine Malzahn
    Contributing Beauty Writer

    Catharine Malzahn is a freelance beauty editor and writer. She has more than half a decade of experience covering everything from skincare and makeup to spas and injectables. Previously, she held editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention; you can find her work in those publications and in Glamour, Byrdie, InStyle, PS Beauty, NewBeauty, CR Fashion Book, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, and more. When she's not writing or testing beauty products, you can find her cooking, trying a new restaurant, or reapplying sunscreen. A SoCal native, she received her BA in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School For Communication and Journalism.

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